Profile of rociletinib and its potential in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer

Patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring activating mutations in EGFR benefit from treatment with EGFR small-molecule tyrosine-kinase inhibitors. However, the development of acquired resistance to EGFR inhibitors is universal and limits treatment efficacy. Over half of patients receiving first-generation EGFR inhibitors (erlotinib and gefitinib) develop resistance via the gatekeeper EGFR T790M (EGFR^T790M) mutation, and therapies able to overcome T790M-mediated resistance have been an unmet need in NSCLC. Rociletinib (CO-1686) is a third-generation small-molecule EGFR inhibitor with potent activity against EGFR^T790M currently in advanced clinical development in NSCLC. Early clinical data suggested significant activity in EGFR-mutant NSCLC harboring T790M alterations. However, important questions regarding side-effect profile, comparability to competitor compounds, acquired resistance, EGFR-therapy sequencing, and combination therapies remain. Here, we review the available preclinical and clinical data for rociletinib, highlight the comparison to other third-generation EGFR inhibitors, and discuss resistance implications and future directions in NSCLC.